Question Number: 28853

League Specific 10/14/2014

RE: travel Other

alex waserman of hillsborough, nj usa asks...

I was watching a middle school game and the nfhs was allowing substitutions on offside calls? Is this valid for NJ Middle School Play?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Alex,
Substitutions are permitted at any stoppage with the permission of the referee provided the league/ association or tournament does not have any restrictions in place within their bylaws or competition rules. Below is a copy of the substitution rules within their handbook. Offside is not mentioned specifically It is a stoppage of play yet it is an infringement of the laws requiring a restart with a indirect free kick. I would have to think it was not a substitution they promote as being a time to do so, best to contact league officials. If a referee is possibly incorrectly allowing substitutions on offside calls then get those who are teaching/training the officials to confirm it as accurate information.

Most youth matches I allow substitutions to a max of 3 at any stoppage of my choosing as long as procedures are followed. Free kicks are often a bad time if one team wants to take them quickly hence league officials often stipulate when subs can take place so a referee is not bothered by paying attention. sigh It bugs me but then it is not my call.
Injuries require a different approach as players are not at the midline indicating they are ready to sub which is a prerequisite to allowing a substitution. So usually they only allow the injured party to sub as opposed to a group of convenience

MNJYSA handbook quote
Free substitution is permitted during the entire game. A team may substitute on its own throw in, a goal kick by either team, any referee stoppage of play (injury, fix a net, etc.), or after a goal has been scored. Substitutions are not permitted at stoppages due to fouls, misconduct, or corner kicks. In the case of injuries, opponents may make only as many substitutions as there are injured player substitutions by the other team. In all cases, substitutions must comply with Law III, and must take place at the half-way line. Substitutes should not enter the field of play until the player being substituted has left the field of play.
Substitutions are done only with the referee's permission. end quote
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the local middle school league is following NFHS rules without any modification, then a free kick following an offside infringement would not be a valid substitution opportunity. Unlike the laws of the game, NFHS rules limit substitution opportunities. But, some leagues modify the high school substitution rules for non-varsity matches.